Part of the great action from Sandown on Saturday is the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) which looks as if it is going to be superbly competitive. Heading up the field for the challenge is the partnership of Nico de Boinville and Laurina. It’s a Class 1 run over 2m 4f.
Sandown 14:25 Race Odds*
Laurian 13/8
Good Boy Bobby 4/1
Itchy Feet 11/2
Grand Sancy 7/1
Midnight Shadow 8/1
Vision Des Flos 9/1
Champagne Platinum 40/1
* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 31st, 2020 at 21:58)
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Table of Contents
Laurina’s presence ramps up the interest
Laurina is such a good horse. Trained by Willie Mullins she is going to be the star attraction in this race. She has won six times before over the hurdles at 2m to 2m 4f. She did have a pull up in her last race because of a bleeding on the nostrils issue.
She receives 7lb for this one, but still, she is such a class act that it is not something that is going to deter punters. Nor is the fact that she is taking on some strong geldings in the fixture.
Laurina is going to be more comfortable in the longer trip than she was at 2m 1f in Leopardstown last time out, where it was just too quick for her. She has C&D form behind her as well and she is the 13/8 favourite* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 31st, 2020 at 21:58)
Good Boy Bobby will with strong claims
After putting in a very good second place at Cheltenham in his last run, Good Boy Bobby has good claims for this race. He has taken three hurdles successes and a chase at 1m7 to 2m 4f. So he is fine for the trip, although does perhaps prefer things closer to the 2m mark.
Good Boy Bobby was only edged out by Mister Fisher by one and a quarter lengths in that Cheltenham run. That was in December. He placed in all five of his runs in 2019, winning three times. He is up at 4/1 odds for this contest* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 31st, 2020 at 21:58)
Grand Sancy and Itchy Feet
There has been some really nice consistency from Grand Sancy recently, with a second and two third-place finishes under his belt. The most recent of which was over a 2m trip at Kempton in the Group 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase in December. He was the third of six there.
Itchy Feet arrives on the back of a win at Leicester in December. It wasn’t even a contest at all as the gelding won by 26 lengths from a position of 1/5 favourite. Still, even though it was uncompetitive, it was a good run which means that he should be in good step for this contest.
The rest of the runners
Midnight Shadow is not one that can easily be scratched out of contention. He delivered a win at Cheltenham over 2m 5f in his last race. That was a good run at Grade 2 for a Group 2 Novices’ Chase. There has definitely been the form there this season from the 7-year-old to suggest that he could get in the picture
Champagne Platinum continues to frustrate punters. He showed some great form at the back end of 2018 but has not been the same horse since. He was last out at Newbury in mid-January and could only land 4th of 4 in a Class 3 trip.
Vision Des Flos does arrive on the back of a win for trainer Colin Tizzard. That was a longer 3m trip at Chepstow where he was the 1/4 favourite. He probably needs a little more to his game in such company but may offer decent each-way value
Predictions & Tips
Can Laurina manage the weight and see off the geldings? This is a fantastic renewal now with her having taken her place. She is a class act in the field, but there may just be enough in Good Boy Bobby to oppose her.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained gelding has shown a very good ability this season and his recent second place at Cheltenham was impressive. He has produced at the distance before and at 4/1 can’t be overlooked* (betting odds taken from Bet365 on January 31st, 2020 at 21:58)
Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer
This race is part of ITV’s racing coverage on Saturday. Back a winner of at least 4/1 odds in a live ITV race with Bet365 and a stake refund will be issued if a wager on the following race broadcast live on ITV, loses.
The stake refund in the Bet365 ITV Racing offer will be matched the value of your initial winning bet. The Bet365 offer applies to the FIRST single bet placed by a customer on each race shown live on ITV Racing.
Sat 1st -Sandown, Musselburgh & Wetherby – ITV4
SANDOWN
13:50 The 888Sport Contenders Hurdle Race (Listed Race)
14:25 The 888Sport Scilly Isles Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
15:00 The 888Sport Heroes Handicap Hurdle Race (Grade 3)
15:35 The 888Sport Masters Handicap Steeple Chase
MUSSELBURGH
14:05 The Bet365 Scottish County Hurdle (A Handicap)
15:15 The Bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Steeplechase
WETHERBY
14:45 The William Hill Towton Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly. See bookmaker for full T&Cs
Key Terms & Conditions
This offer is only available to new and eligible customers and applies to the FIRST single bet placed by a customer on each race shown live on ITV Racing. This offer will not apply where a stake has been fully Cashed Out. Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, any refund amount or subsequent risk-free bet amount will be equal to the remaining active stake.
Where more than one selection in the same race is placed on the same bet slip, the first selection is deemed to be the one which is highest on the bet slip. Offer applies to bets placed on Win and Each Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only.
Risk-free bets must be placed on the next eligible race using your own funds – if your bet loses then the stake will be refunded to your account shortly after the race. Refund up-to £50 per race. The first bet on a race will be deemed as your qualifying bet. If you back the winner of the last race on any day, your risk-free bet will be the first bet you place on the next qualifying race.
